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Siya Kolisi (captain) of the Stormers challenged by Andre Warner of the Lions during Saturday’s SuperFan match between Emirates Lions and DHL Stormers at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on September 26, 2020 in Pretoria, South Africa. (Photo by Sydney Seshibedi / Gallo Images)
Power triumphed over cunning when Stormers kept the Lions at bay to record a 34-21 victory in the two teams’ Super Fan Saturday meeting at Loftus on Saturday night.
How it happened | Lions vs Stormers
In a match in which both teams used the last half hour to come up with new combinations, the Capetonian starting forwards laid the groundwork, delivering a typically solid performance.
Frans Malherbe, subject to ridicule from some quarters on social media for piling on a few extra pounds after the lockout, only played 34 minutes initially but produced an exemplary scrum performance.
Then he came back late again to stabilize things.
It was his influence that went a long way in deflecting the Lions, who normally pride themselves on standing their ground on that play, as well as inspiring his teammates in the field, notably No. 8 Juarno Augustus and JD’s blocking. Schickerling which was expected to shade the close exchanges anyway.
Ironically, the Lions’ first attempt was an indication of how they would initially struggle to get the ball off the front foot, with scrum-half Andre Warner doing well to keep his head from a disintegrated scrum and allowing the flyhalf and captain Elton Jantjies. they will throw a splendid cross. Kick for Courtnall Skosan on the side.
But that advantage didn’t last long when the Stormers tightened the screws, they just didn’t allow their opponents to gain ground.
His defense was also outstanding at times.
They were also aided by the Lions’ staggering 11 penalty count, which came to a head with Marvin Orie’s yellow card for the team’s repeated infractions.
Center Dan du Plessis lunged on a bullet from Damian Willemse’s pass to score the Stormers’ first try, which was followed by hooker Scarra Ntubeni’s touchdown on a maul.
Seemingly weary from the physicality of their opponents, the Lions allowed two soft attempts for Captain Siya Kolisi, who made a dismissive delivery of Warner to score on the halftime hooter, before the new Stormers recruit Warrick Gelant, full of initiative as a fullback. He skillfully ran against two front rowers to cut through a seemingly non-existent gap.
There was a change of momentum once the Lions brought in their “second XV” and the Stormers sacrificed their powerful Bok charged combo for a more agile one.
Attempts by wing Jamba Ulengo and wing MJ Pelser put the Gautengers back in contention, but they were thwarted by a heavy handicap as well as the poaching skills of replacement wide open player Nama Xaba.
The Stormers finally sealed their victory with a late try for running back Paul de Wet.
Scorers:
Lions
Attempts: Courtnall Skosan, Jamba Ulengo, MJ Pelser
Conversions: Gianni Lombard (2), Elton Jantjies
Stormers
Attempts: Dan du Plessis, Scarra Ntubeni, Siya Kolisi, Warrick Gelant, Paul de Wet
Conversions: Damian Willemse (2), Tim Swiel
Penalty: Willemse
